Bicycles

[georgy.livejournal.com]

I'm looking to buy a bicycle. I don't want to do the time-consuming CL rigamarole. I know there are a few places in town (the place in Powderhouse Sq., Ace Wheelworks, Park Ave. Bicycle on Somerville Ave -- any others?) but I don't know a lot about the difference between them, which place is best, etc. What I'm looking for is a dependable hybrid bike that will get me around the city and the bike path for less than $200 (and the less, the better!). So, does anyone recommend one place over another?

Or, failing that, does anyone have a bike to sell? :-)

Thanks.

Comments

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

I also want to say I have had good experiences with Ace (which is where I usually go). Occasionally, when it is busy in the summer, you will get someone who is not clueful, but most of the time I have had experienced salespeople who are helpful and supportive. A few of them in particular are really wonderful (like the guy with the Belgian accent, and especially the gentle-voiced guy with grey hair and angular features). I bought my first-ever bike from there and they didn't laugh at me when I didn't know how to ride it, and I went in for advice on new parts and training when I signed up for my first Pan-Mass Challenge and didn't believe I was able to do it (but they believed, and they were right), and I've just gotten tons of maintenance there because I beat the hell out of my bike four-season commuting and I've usually been satisfied. Also, they get to recognize you (and your bike) if you're a regular. (I do think the people at Belmont are not as nice or attentive, but the Annex is often a better place to buy bikes because of the deep sales.)

Tyler at Paramount is also fantastic. I haven't had many experiences with him but I agree with the folks above that he is a super, super nice guy and he knows his stuff. I go to Ace because I find myself buying a fair amount of stuff and I want the bigger selection, plus which it's just where I've been going (I heard about it sooner).